Missus Bounty Basket

The rasta-inspired creation of my hubby and Ms.K After loads of rolling here and there, it's done. Our first snowman of the season.;)It might not last long and will surely lose its precious eyes by tomorrow, but for now let's enjoy that smile. This reminds me of something, I just can't put my finger on it. Hmmm, do you have any idea? Think...think...! Eh-oh! Smile, it's Monday!

It is snowing for two days now. The girls are loving every moment spent outside. They shriek with delight. I, on the other hand, dread to venture out into the cold. Having grown up practically under the sun. My body refuses to get used to the winter weather and would prefer to stay at home where it's cozy. But I love snow, that's the weird thing. Seeing the whiteness of my surrounding is a marvelous feeling. It's peaceful.Calm. Anyway, because it's Sunday, I am sharing all these wonderful colors.Looking at them brings solace from the freezing cold temperature outside.

T he horse-drawn carriage was outside the church waiting patiently. The alpenhorn filled the autumn air but was eventually overwhelmed by the ringing church bells, the atmosphere seemed to change. Even the sky appeared brighter than usual. I looked to see what would happen next, thankful that the tram wasn't there yet. Then people came out of the church--talking animatedly to each other. Soon afterward came the newly wed. Beaming.Lovingly holding each other. I smiled remembering my very own wedding. Judging by the faces of onlookers and passers-by, they,too, were delighted. Right then and there, I felt hopeful and that despite the differences or conflict in a relationship, divorces and separation--a wedding brings something magical and beautiful in our lives. It is something to cherish.

The autumn season is the culprit not to forget the beautiful decors and display all around. It's a good thing that the local radio has not play any Christmas song yet or I will just break down and cry! :=) Okay, I miss Cavite and long to spend holiday season there. Don't get me wrong, I love my small family here but Christmas is really different and special back home. Maybe it's the atmosphere. It's more vibrant, alive and full of excitement. Anyway, as I go through this longing--I turn to drinking! nope not the hard one but the more intense and souvenir-pack coffee.Oh, how I love the kapeng barako kind with a bit of "pardo" or muscavado. I remember during our summer vacation in our grandfather's, one of us(his ton of grandchildren) has to prepare his coffee minutes before he arrive from the farm. This was done over the firewood stove using a blackened casserole filled with water and as it boil two spoonful of coffee were poured into it. The scent of

There is something about yardsale which makes me giddy. Aside from finding a real bargain, just being there and looking at things relaxes me in a very odd way. Frankly speaking I would prefer to make the rounds in yardsale than go shopping. Hmmm...very odd indeed! In the last yardsale of the season I had my eye on this mirror. Yes, it was a mirror. Until it fell and broke into two pieces. Just now(sat. afternoon)It's really so upsetting because after weeks of waiting for my hubby to drill a hole in the wall, he finally did it! To make the story short, I have tried to tie a string on the mirror and eventually hang it for my height but then...boom! Just some words of advice: never ever talk to someone on the phone while your husband is mounting your precious mirror on the wall. be alert on what the guy's doing. if it's just a "forehead higher" leave the mirror alone! sulking will not bring back your 12sf so smile and remember that another yardsale is coming soon!

One of my latest discoveries is the fabric from Ikea. Okay, granted that I have been living here for quite a while now, I should have known that I could cut, weigh them and out came the price--yes just like when one buys some fruits or veggies! But nope, I was like a child--so excited by my latest find. Anyway, the one I used to change our sit cover was supposed to be for Karen's crayon holder. I fell in love with the vibrant color. The chairs were given by a friend. The initial cover was white and at the time Karen was just starting to eat, and we know how little children at that stage. So I changed them to orange and it actually blended well in our old apartment.Now after almost two years it's time for a change. The color might not be in harmony with our carpet but I think it adds spark to our living/dining area. And with the autumn season now on its full swing adding colors like this will enhance energy and creativity in our home and the girls love them!

It wasn't a good idea. Taking the whole family out to buy a pair of boots for Karen. But hey, it's Friday and hubby's day off. The thought of spending time together looked promising or so I thought. After almost half hour of boots hunting there was still no chance of finding one. Hubby was so impatient to get home(who couldn't blame him?), Erin was howling to get out of the pram and Karen? where was Karen? She was at the toy section--looking amazed with all the Hello Kitty! stuff. It was not an easy situation to handle . Aside from threatening her that she won't be able to watch Dora, then reprimanding her about her attitude then walking out of the store to get that fresh air because it eventually became so unbearable to stay inside--there was nothing much to do. So then I found myself in one of those comfy chairs giving myself a break, inviting happy thoughts. I looked back at those moments when Karen was still a tiny tot and didn't mind staying in her pram. I

Cucumber and shrimp paste. That's one of my comfort food these days. This came into being when I had this enormous urge to eat something salty because lately I've refrained from buying potato chips or any chichirya(junkfood) from any Asian store. Now it's back firing on me. As I helplessly scrounge our fridge to stop my madness, I stopped and said why not? So it began,my pipino and alamang love affair. And I don't think it would end soon.

Maybe my sister is right, maybe it runs in the family--the seasonal affective disorder ;=). I have been feeling a bit down for about a week now. Missing my family back home, my friends, our Isla Berde, and of course the sun. It's November and rainy. The yellow-oranges leaves have turned into mushy brown now which Karen still loves to pick up and offer me. Sweet little thing! So now, I turn to coffee just to alleviate this low morale I have been feeling. It transport me back to our neighborhood-the familiar sound and color, my family and relatives, the warmth of the sun, the barking of the dogs, even the voice of boy who is selling the pandesal. A bitter-sweet feeling. With the girls and the chores at hand, I don't think giving in would be the best solution. So with a mug of coffee and Erin's urgently calling me (Nana!Nana!) I smile and said to myself: "It maybe raining outside, but keep the sun shining in you.Go,go, girl! !"

Last night was a very special one for me because for the very first time I have attended a Parents' meeting in Karen's garderie. It's strange to be there. This might not be everyone's opinion when they've just attended this kind of thing but being at this stage of my life is quite exciting and at the same time there's this realization that my little girl is really and truly growing up fast. My being a mother to her is taking another route. While walking on my way to the meeting my thought wandered to my aunt who earnestly attended every single PTA meeting of her children and in one of those graduation ceremonies she was given the biggest trophy I have ever seen. It was a recognition of her unwavering presence to each and every PTA meetings. It would mean that she did take into heart her role as a mother who guided her children in their schooling. Nope, I am not aiming for any award. I think I could not replicate what she has done but the thought of her remind

It's starting to be rainy here and my plan to take the girls out will not happen today. K. was sick last night and so we opted to stay in. I'm checking some recipe for her birthday party come Thursday. Yeah, I should have done this two weeks before but well, this is me!! She is turning 3. Goodness!! how time flies. On a more personal issue---I came upon this words by St. Theresa of Avila. "Let Nothing disturb thee; let nothing dismay thee; all thing pass; God never changes. Patience attains all that it strives for. He who has God finds he lacks nothing; God alone suffices." Well this one really hits home. I'm dismay about a lot of things and have been into junk food again. I need to focus...

My husband would have preferred that I talk to Karen in english but I've insisted with Tagalog, believing that it is very important for her to learn my native language and for her to be able to converse with our relatives back home and not feel left out. So from her birth up to now we are conversing in Tagalog. Her father on the other hand, talks to her in french and she is actually progressing really well, thanks also to her twice a week sched. at the day care center. I expose her to english language thru songs, dvds and books. Karen has recently discovered Dora the explorer and has forgotten Nemo altogether. The only thing which bothered me at the beginning was her slow progress in talking. Some said that it was probably because of hearing three languages but reading the testimonies at http://www.multilingualchildren.org made me realized that I am on the right path. At times I found myself answering her in french, then I remind myself to switch back in Tagalog. She is actuall

Blank page stares back at me. It's almost daylight but nothing has been typed. I'm frustrated that I haven't came out with anything new to say. Nothing exciting to share. But would people be really interested about my life, my unkept garden, the cellar that I'm trying to re-arrange, or even the tidbits that I have done with my girls' room? I'm not sure that I'm doing okey. I want to be able to write well again, to share with all my heart what I am doing without qualms. But it's not happening now. I feel so overwhelmed with so many things. Studies, being a better mother, a smiling Mayet , keeping the home in order,etc... It seems like my day is filled with "to do list" that I cannot accomplish. But for now duty is calling. The girls are awake and the toilet needs cleaning.